Elmer Danilovich

Best to frame this statement and hang it above your gear to keep the heebie jeebies away.

... And then he went to the window and looked out into the great big hifi shop that is the universe :)

Multiple exclamation points are a sure sign of insanity ;)

Which is to be expected really, I mean, you're here with us ...

I don't consider a statement to be true if it has fewer than 11 exclamation marks.

“Name?”
“LAWRENCE ATKINS!!!!!!!!!!!”
“Date of birth?”
“OCTOBER 2, 1978888!!!!!!!!!!”
“Sir, that was only 10 exclamation points, I’m gonna need you to be honest with me.”
“Oh ok.. 1975!!!!!!!!!!!”

Unless it's on the same amp and most important headphone as yours tube impressions are pretty useless. If you include the amp at least you might get better answers but there aren't a lot of rollers here.

Excellent point, it's a custom piece so I'll just have to experiment,

Builder does have the 5814a he's happy to include though!

RCA Cleartop or CBS 5814A

Prepare to make your wallet suffer. Once you get seduced by tubetastic sound you want more. Tubes and booze are the best audio tweaks ever.

How do they differ from something like a GE 5Star 6072a

I'd say it's odd that this is more noticeable on speakers than headphones, but I have effectively zero experience with the former anyway.

Pick a reason: Things sound better when played louder, consumer gear (e.g. phones, laptops) can barely drive headphones to decent levels.

I notice it on both but find it more objectionable on headphones.

@Lyer25, "Things sound better when played louder"

That's only half the rule. This is the whole thing:

Louder, /if not already too loud,/ always sounds better.